Artificial Intelligence for SMEs: Strategy and Applications
A learning program to help businesses go digital.
This July, the Digital Export Club kicked off – a new training program promoted by the Pistoia-Prato Chamber of Commerce was created with the support of Roncucci&Partners.
The program was designed to help local SMEs digitalize their processes in order to support internationalization.
The course, consisting of five modules, is conducted online and addresses key issues for the competitive development of businesses: digital export, LinkedIn & Sales Navigator, immersive technologies, and artificial intelligence.
AI for SMEs: from Buzzword to Strategic Resource
On July 22 and 24, the first two modules took place, which we had the pleasure of hosting, dedicated to the theme: “Artificial Intelligence as a Strategic Lever for SMEs.”
The response was very positive, with over 50 companies attending from a wide range of sectors, including textiles, food & beverage, crafts, engineering, and services.
This sends a clear message: AI is no longer just for large companies.
During the two introductory modules, we addressed:
- The real meaning of Artificial Intelligence and the false myths to overcome
- The concrete benefits for SMEs in terms of automation, operational efficiency, and decision support
- The practical applications of AI in marketing, sales, customer care, supply chain, and data management
- The main no-code AI tools to get started right away (ChatGPT, Canva AI, Zapier, intelligent CRMs)
- Two operational exercises with guided prompts and real simulations for the use of AI in international communication and market scouting.
We have seen what AI can really do for a small business: automate, simplify, and improve marketing, business processes, and data collection. With tools that are already available, many of which are free.
Accessible Tools, Concrete Results
During the meetings, we introduced tools that are accessible to everyone, such as:
- ChatGPT, for writing emails, quotations, and product sheets
- Canva AI, to create brochures and visual content
- Zapier, to automate workflows
- Smart CRMs (such as HubSpot or Zoho) to manage leads
- Elly, the Roncucci&Partners solution for assisted business intelligence
Each tool was presented in a practical way, with examples of application and guided mini-exercises.
Upcoming Events: Digital Export Continues in September!
After an excellent start in July, the Digital Export Club is back in September with three new free webinars designed to offer SMEs concrete digital tools for internationalization.
Here are the upcoming events:
- September 23, 2025 | 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- Webinar 1 – Introduction to Digital Export
2. September 25, 2025 | 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- Webinar 2 – LinkedIn and Sales Navigator for Export
3. September 30, 2025 | 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- Webinar 3 – Immersive Technologies for International Business
The focus remains practical and operational: each meeting is designed to provide tools that can be immediately applied to export and international marketing processes in order to strengthen the competitiveness of local SMEs through the intelligent and strategic use of digital technology.
Special thanks to Simone Cesari, Head of Internationalization at the Pistoia-Prato Chamber of Commerce, for his ongoing commitment to promoting growth opportunities alongside businesses.
For further information, click here
Checklist: Where to Start with AI in your Business
If you are an SME and want to start using artificial intelligence in your business, here are 5 simple, high-impact actions you can take right away:
